Penile implants in erectile impotence: outcome and prognostic indicators

In a prospective, multi-disciplinary study thirteen men with protracted, organic erectile impotence were examined before and after penile implantation. Outcome after one year was judged as favourable in nine, doubtful in two, and unfavourable in two cases. Neurotic functioning was unexpectedly common in the group and the more neurotic subjects fared less well after surgery and reported less benefit from it. Findings in the preoperative psychiatric examination that correlated significantly with unsuccessful outcome were immature and neurotic, particularly hysterical traits, low sexual drive, low sexual activity, disavowal of ambivalence towards penile implantation and high "femininity" scores on a sex role inventory, the Gough Femininity Scale.